'Snell's work represents both a weighty and an impressive addition to the literature. It will become required reading for all students of British rural society.' The Times Higher Education Supplement

• Preface; Introduction; 1. Agricultural seasonal unemployment, the standard of living, and women's work, 1690–1860; 2. Social relations - the decline of service; 3. Social relations - the poor law; 4. Enclosure and employment - the social consequences of enclosure; 5. The decline of apprenticeship; 6. The apprenticeship of women; 7. The family; 8. Thomas Hardy, rural Dorset, and the family; Appendix; Bibliography; Index.

'Snell's work represents both a weighty and an impressive addition to the literature. It will become required reading for all students of British rural society.' The Times Higher Education Supplement

• Preface; Introduction; 1. Agricultural seasonal unemployment, the standard of living, and women's work, 1690–1860; 2. Social relations - the decline of service; 3. Social relations - the poor law; 4. Enclosure and employment - the social consequences of enclosure; 5. The decline of apprenticeship; 6. The apprenticeship of women; 7. The family; 8. Thomas Hardy, rural Dorset, and the family; Appendix; Bibliography; Index.